Types of Filters - Kyusu

[SR]

Hey everybody. I am new here and am looking to get a Kyusu. I am going to be brewing exclusively greens and particularly sencha in this one.

It seems like most here are partial to Sasame screen filters, but this kyusu has a different type that I have not seen. I really like the way it looks though.

Could you take a look at it and tell me what you think. And also what, if any, reasons I should look for a specific type of filter.
http://cgi.ebay.com/JAPANESE-TEAPOT-TO ... m153.l1262




Also, lastly...lets say I order something from tokoname.or.jp . Should I be concerned about anything safetywise. Could this clay be contaminated with anything etc.

Thank you all very much, sorry for all the questions, I'm new and excited.

[capheind]

Looks like a screen mesh filter, very nice color and pattern... might order one myself.

[Chip]

Nice pot and the filter will work well for any sencha you can throw at it.

This particular filter holds the leaves slightly above the bottom of the kyusu. This prevents the leaves from sitting in any leftover water after you pour, thus the next infusion theoretically is better tasting. I have not been able to try this filter type yet, but the logic has merit, imho.

By the way, welcome to the forum. I hope you stop by TeaDay and share what is in your cup.

[TaiPing Hou Kui]

Hi SR, and welcome to the Forum! I am a big fan of Kyusus as I am partial to Japanese greens. Personally I like the sasame filter better. I feel that the metal imparts a slight taste to the tea. Plenty of people will tell you I am crazy.....but I just feel like there is.....anway, my personal opinions aside, the mesh filter does seem unique in the sense that it is the first I have seen to keep the leaf off the bottom of the pot after the pour. Personally, I find that when using my kyusus with the sasame filter, the leaves are pressed up against the side of the wall and very little is actually sitting in any residual water. Unless you like the way the filter looks that I would say that it wouldnt make the tea any better with subsequent infusions. This is purely based on speculation as I have not tried this model myself. Another reason why I prefer the sasame filter is just the plain fact that I think it is more pleasing to the eye that this beautiful clay pot and then.....oh wait, it looks like someone cut some screen off their porch door and threw it into my work of art......Again, personal, but when I am throwing down hundreds on a teapot, as I often have, I want it to be exceptionally functional and exceptionally good looking as well, inside and out. But, if you like the pot, go for it! A kyusu with a metal filter is better than a mug and infuser basket any day for some high quality Jap. greens! Anway, I hope this helps some!

Nick (TaiPing)

[Salsero]

Plenty of people will tell you I am crazy.....

He is crazy.

[Oni]

What do you think of bulb filter, most yixings have it and I read that it is the most traditional inbuilt filter in a japanese kyusu.

[Oni]

[Oni]

Just beacause this type of kyusu is coming my way, and it was expencieve and made by a famous master.

[TaiPing Hou Kui]

See....I told you people thought I was crazy.....Sal........Anyway, Oni, I do like the bulb filters. I do not own any kyusus with the bulb type but have several Yixing I use on occasion with the bulb type. All of my kyusus sasame filters are more flattened out than the bulb style...the only difference I can say between the two is that the leaves tend to stay pushed up against the side after the pour in my kyusus where as in the yixings I have used with the bulb style tend to fall back down towards the bottom of the pot.

-Nick (TaiPing)

[Oni]

Thanks for the positive reply, I bought this teapot for lightsteamed high quality sencha, and kabusencha, or lower quality gyokuro, it is 240 ml, made by Tachi Masaki banko yaki with wood turning light weight, thin walled.

[TaiPing Hou Kui]

It looks like a neat pot from the one picture. I would be interested to see more pics of this pot when you get it as well as a brew report. Also, it appears that there is an actualy glaze on the inside of this pot....is that the case?

-Nick (TaiPing)

[Oni]

No it is pure Shidei.

[Salsero]

There's a lot of us that would like to see photos of the pot when it arrives. Sounds like a real jewel.

[Chip]

Plenty of people will tell you I am crazy.....

He is crazy.

+1, try not to be phobic this early in your TeaJourney, there is plenty of time for that later.

You can spend 100's on a kyusu or as little as around 20. Your selection would be a very good starter kyusu and will brew your tea fine. I have yet to spend much over 50 on a kyusu and have been notably fanatical about Japanese teas. I do plan on buying a higher end one soon.

Do not get me wrong, sasame (clay) filters are great too, but this "cradle" filter will give you an extremely fast pour, leass than 5 seconds.

Oni, look forward to more photos!

[Cinnamon Kitty]

I've used a kyusu with a metal screen filter and one with a ball filter, similar to the one in the picture that Oni posted. Both work great, but sometimes the liquid doesn't drain as well in the pot with the ball filter so I end up with a bit of tea that stays in with the tea leaves after every pour. It's not too much of an issue if I don't wait too long between infusions, but I have noticed a difference in taste in the later steeps if I wait longer between steeps.

The kyusu with the screen like SR posted should in theory prevent the leaves from sitting in excess water that doesn't pour out, which makes it a nice idea. It really is a nice looking pot. I love the green and black stripes. It looks like a good pot to me.